Pattaya Reports

[QUOTE=Gunga Din; 1437540]I'm heading to Pattaya in two weeks time, and will post FR's during my stay. Usually I use motorbike taxis to get around Pattaya, but this time I'll be hiring my own rental motorbike. In that regard, I have a question to the experienced people familiar with Pattaya and the police pullovers. How should a Farang deal with a pullover? My driving license is Malaysian, and not an International License. I don't speak Thai. If I was in Malaysia you can negotiate with a pullover, by offering the officer cash rather than him writing out the ticket, usually at a substantial discount to the "fine". So, how can I handle any "pulled-over-for-probably-not-having-an-International-driving-license" police shakedown? Any tips? Oh, and I'm less about saving a hundred THB than I am about navigating the driving situation in advance.

Feel free to PM me, if you prefer not to clutter up this message board with tips like this, or examples, and thanks in advance.

- Gunga Din[/QUOTE]Not sure if a Malaysian license works in Pattaya? But depending on how long your stay and whether you look like a Farang will determine if you get pull over. It being wet season that lessen the chance of a check point but if you do get stopped that count on getting a break trying to negotiate. If they do take the money it will be the same amount or more? They will take the attitude that they are doing you a favor and tell you something like " Station really busy you want me to take care of the fine for you " although I had the money I showed him from one pocket I had 160 baht. He took my license and told me to pay the fine tomorrow and pick up my license.

LBM

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan; 1437585]Not sure if a Malaysian license works in Pattaya? But depending on how long your stay and whether you look like a Farang will determine if you get pull over. It being wet season that lessen the chance of a check point but if you do get stopped that count on getting a break trying to negotiate. If they do take the money it will be the same amount or more? They will take the attitude that they are doing you a favor and tell you something like " Station really busy you want me to take care of the fine for you " although I had the money I showed him from one pocket I had 160 baht. He took my license and told me to pay the fine tomorrow and pick up my license.

LBM[/QUOTE]The thing is that is quite possible (nobody so far has gave me a definite, proved answer) that an IDL is required by law in Thailand. So if they want to fine for that, they are technically in the right. However, I think they may (or may not) go for that only that after the easy ones, e. G. No helmet, no Bike D / L, etc. Also as mentioned in other posts: they do the stops almost always at the same spots, at the same hours, day after day, year after year. And they do stop and fine Thai people too. Attached piccies where they stopped this beauty riding pillion with another lady, both had no helmets, the pig wanted to set me up with her, but she smiled to decline. I think they were not fined after all.

[QUOTE=Marcos;1437674]The thing is that is quite possible (nobody so far has gave me a definite, proved answer) that an IDL is required by law in Thailand. So if they want to fine for that, they are technically in the right.[/QUOTE]Yes, this is correct. Last year I was driving a car in a non-tourist area and got stopped at a check point. I was the only foreigner around. I got dinging for not having an IDL. I figured it would not be needed since my license is already printed in English. After paying the 200 baht, I did look it up online and found it was true that an IDL is required even if your license is already in English. I don't have the link at the moment though.

[QUOTE=Xplorer007;1436943]Arrived in Patts yesterday it's low season and very quite I think it's the best time to visit Pattaya, plenty of free lancers on beach road and all over Pattaya average price around 500 to 750 baht some really cute looking girls.[/QUOTE]Where in Pattaya aside from Beach Road can you find girls, cute looking or not, for 500 to 750 baht?

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational;1437032]Least of all I am impressed. My humble place is 54, 000 baht for 365 days (366 days on a leap year).[/QUOTE]Wow! I've never heard of a farang living in an apartment that cheap! Some of the BGs pay more for their rooms than that. How many square meters is your apartment? Does it have air conditioning or is it a fan room? In which part of Pattaya is it located? The Darkside, by any chance?

Evil

[QUOTE=Evil Penivel;1437713]Wow! I've never heard of a farang living in an apartment that cheap! Some of the BGs pay more for their rooms than that. How many square meters is your apartment? Does it have air conditioning or is it a fan room? In which part of Pattaya is it located? The Darkside, by any chance?[/QUOTE]3rd Road Soi 18.

Overview.

24hour Security Balcony Laundry Service Mini-Mart Furniture Coined Laundry Maid Service (Pay) Hot Shower Car Parking Air Conditioner TV Set Cable Channel Refrigerator Broadband Access Free

[QUOTE=HenryV;1437391]Not sure what. "Hey. Don't me take me serious.!". Means?[/QUOTE]Nobody does. He averages 5 posts per day and all equally informative. Pay no mind as I think it's a posting addiction.

[QUOTE=Evil Penivel; 1437713]Where in Pattaya aside from Beach Road can you find girls, cute looking or not, for 500 to 750 baht?

Evil[/QUOTE]The Bush Babes. 300bt or less. An occasional cutie.most evil!

Road from near the Big Buddha to the pier.

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational; 1437756]3rd Road Soi 18.

Overview.

24hour Security Balcony Laundry Service Mini-Mart Furniture Coined Laundry Maid Service (Pay) Hot Shower Car Parking Air Conditioner TV Set Cable Channel Refrigerator Broadband Access Free[/QUOTE]With the inevitable stampede to your little nest, Landlord will now increase the price, LOL

[QUOTE=Sxxxx;1437863]With the inevitable stampede to your little nest, Landlord will now increase the price, LOL[/QUOTE]We do have a new building (January 2013) that rents for I think 6000 or 7000 baht. The building I am in was built in 2008. I have paid the same for 4 years.

[QUOTE=Marcos;1437674]The thing is that is quite possible (nobody so far has gave me a definite, proved answer) that an IDL is required by law in Thailand. So if they want to fine for that, they are technically in the right. However, I think they may (or may not) go for that only that after the easy ones, e. G. No helmet, no Bike D / L, etc. Also as mentioned in other posts: they do the stops almost always at the same spots, at the same hours, day after day, year after year. And they do stop and fine Thai people too. Attached piccies where they stopped this beauty riding pillion with another lady, both had no helmets, the pig wanted to set me up with her, but she smiled to decline. I think they were not fined after all.[/QUOTE]When it comes to the BIB, in Pattaya, I travel each day on my bike 70 KM, and I've been stopped in the past think nearly every check point in Pattaya especially the Darkside. Depending on the location of the checkpoint they have their own rules and their fines seem to be higher in location like Naklau, Banglamung station charged me a 1, 000 baht for a red light. On the Darkside, I get nearly stopped daily and they have never ask me for anything except the paperwork.

From my own experience I noticed somehow they caught on to the IDL, thing, they know full well not many have them especially those just visiting and renting the bike which the bike renter knowing full well the BIB are looking for it. But renting the bike is much more important so nothing is said as to whether you do have a IDL. Last, year I got stopped at Naklau just outside my son school at the same time as another Farang. The Farang had his helmet on so did the passenger and his driver license but didn't have a IDL like me. The cop took my book and pointed to the other guy " you no have " they can't read the book but they been trained ask for this?

Yes, each check point is different and I've seen more than a few times. Farang sitting at light checkpoint on the other side. As soon as the light changes Thai no helmet, Farang with helment everything in tack it is 90% that they will pull the Farang over knowing the % they will not have a IDL, while letting the Thai go. They have a profile if they are young no helmet they will get stopped many times it is to check for immigration status? But in the end, the money = Farang. You see the check point at the light as soon as it turns green wait a few seconds and stay outside on the right never be first. On Beach road near Soi 9, stay outside on the right until you get by Central Festival which has a second checkpoint?

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational;1437876]We do have a new building (January 2013) that rents for I think 6000 or 7000 baht. The building I am in was built in 2008. I have paid the same for 4 years.[/QUOTE]OK, I will check both buildings out. Thanks for the invaluable tip.

Last year was the first year I got stopped multiple times. If I got stopped where there were only 1 or 2 Thai police, they would take a bribe. On Second Road and Beach Road you'll have to go and pay the full fine.

If you are going to rent a bike, get an International Driver's License. It makes no sense not to have one if you rent. You will get pulled over. And you can get pulled over anywhere. I'm getting my International license from my local AAA Auto club. I'm not sure about what to do with a Malaysian license but I would inquire about getting an Int'l Driver's License.

[QUOTE=Allover;1437973]Last year was the first year I got stopped multiple times. If I got stopped where there were only 1 or 2 Thai police, they would take a bribe.[/QUOTE]A bribe for what? Were you actually in the wrong?

[QUOTE=Gunga Din; 1437540]I'm heading to Pattaya in two weeks time, and will post FR's during my stay. Usually I use motorbike taxis to get around Pattaya, but this time I'll be hiring my own rental motorbike. In that regard, I have a question to the experienced people familiar with Pattaya and the police pullovers. How should a Farang deal with a pullover? My driving license is Malaysian, and not an International License. I don't speak Thai. If I was in Malaysia you can negotiate with a pullover, by offering the officer cash rather than him writing out the ticket, usually at a substantial discount to the "fine". So, how can I handle any "pulled-over-for-probably-not-having-an-International-driving-license" police shakedown? Any tips? Oh, and I'm less about saving a hundred THB than I am about navigating the driving situation in advance.

Feel free to PM me, if you prefer not to clutter up this message board with tips like this, or examples, and thanks in advance.

- Gunga Din[/QUOTE]I rent a motorbike each time I go to Pattaya. I reckon on getting pulled over at least once each trip these days. To mitigate, what you can do is:

1 Always carry your driver's licence. If it is not valid for motor bikes (mine isn't) you may or may not get fined (I have been fined only once for this out of 10 pull overs).

2 I may be wrong, but I don't think there is any such thing as an International Driving Licence. There is an International Driving Permit, which effectively validates your own licence in another country. I don't really see the point of it, but technically it might be required. But I have never been asked, and the only time my licence was queried was as above, and an IDP would not have helped.

3 Always carry your rental agreement and check the insurance is inside the bike seat.

4 The police tend to be based in the same place at the same time, so try and avoid them. If you have to go past them, steer to the opposite side of the road and stare fixedly ahead, ignoring their waving (easy to do on second Road, not so easy on Beach Road). They are not too bothered as there will be another victim along shortly.

5 If you think you are being unjustly penalised make it clear, but don't argue too long. It won't make any difference when the ticket has been written out. When you pay the fine (500bht?) don't even discuss with the cashier as he / she will probably refuse to deal with you, leaving you begging for them to take your money so you can get your bike back.

6 This should obviously be #1, but always wear your helmet. Always.

[QUOTE=Allover; 1437973]If you are going to rent a bike, get an International Driver's License. It makes no sense not to have one if you rent. You will get pulled over. And you can get pulled over anywhere. I'm getting my International license from my local AAA Auto club. I'm not sure about what to do with a Malaysian license but I would inquire about getting an Int'l Driver's License.[/QUOTE]As I said, there is no such thing as an IDL:

<< Beware websites selling 'international driving licences' – these aren't legally recognised documents, so don't get caught out.

An AA spokesperson told us: "Some people mistakenly refer to International Driving Permits (IDP) as international driving licences. However, there is no such thing as an international driving licence – they are not legally recognised – so don't be fooled into buying one, as they are not worth the paper they are printed on.

"An IDP, on the other hand, is required or recommended in 139 countries and is recognised internationally – they are issued in accordance with Road Traffic Conventions, which stipulate that they can only be issued by motoring organisations or motoring authorities." >>